Water drain structure for railway car door arrangement

ABSTRACT

A railway car door of the sliding plug type is positioned within the door frame arrangement in the side of a car. The door frame arrangement comprises horizontally spaced side posts, an upper horizontally extending side plate structure and a lower side sill. The door posts which define the sides of the opening are provided with flanges which cooperate with flanges on the door to substantially close the door openings. The flanges on the door and on the side posts are also provided with a water drain structure including vertically extending lips which project outwardly with respect to the door opening and cooperate with waterguards supported on the post flanges to provide vertically extending drain troughs at the corners of the door posts.

United States Patent [1 1 Tamborski et al.

[ Aug. 20, 1974 WATER DRAIN STRUCTURE FOR RAILWAY CAR DOOR ARRANGEMENTboth of lnd.

[73] Assignee: Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 425,365

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Richard A.Bertsch Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hilmond O. Vogel [5 7 ABSTRACT Arailway car door of the sliding plug type is positioned within the doorframe arrangement in the side of a car. The door frame arrangementcomprises horizontally spaced side posts, an upper horizontallyextending side plate structure and a lower side sill. The door postswhich define the sides of the opening are provided with flanges whichcooperate with flanges on the door to substantially close the dooropenings. The flanges on the door and onthe side posts are also providedwith a water drain structure including vertically extending lips whichproject outwardly with respect to the door opening and cooperate withwaterguards supported on the post flanges to provide verticallyextending drain troughs at the corners of the door posts.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION It is a prime object of the present invention to provide animproved water drain arrangement for removing rainwater from a doorframe and for preventing the entrance of such moisture into the interiorof the car. The invention is directed particularly toward the door framehaving horizontally spaced vertically extending door posts, a lower sidesill and an upper plate structure defining the door opening. A slidingand laterally moveable door is adapted to fit into the door openingstructure and includes at opposite ends flanges which extend and overlapparallel flanges on the door posts. The door post flanges and the doorflanges are laterally spaced and each door flange includes a verticallyextending lip projecting inwardly toward the parallel post flanges withthe lips terminating laterally to one side of the door opening. Thewaterguard includes a vertical web and a flange connecting the said webto the door post flange with the guard flange having its end portionsubstantially close to the terminal edge of the lip 59. The waterguardalso includes another flange extending in the opposite direction andbeing connected to the first flange of the waterguard by means of thevertical web. The waterguard and the lip provide a vertically extendingdrain trough and also provide means for preventing the entrance ofmoisture or rain into the door opening. The door on one side thereofalso further includes flange portions providing a serpentine patharrangement with a flange of the door post to also prevent the entranceof moisture into the interior of the car.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view,with portions thereof broken away, illustrating an improved door framearrangement door and water drain construction;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2of FIG. 1; Y

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As disclosed in FIG. 1, arailway car side includes side wall sheathing ll, an upper side platestructure 12, a side sill l3 and vertically extending laterally spaceddoor posts 14 defining a door opening 15. The side plate structure 12 atthe upper end of the door opening l5 also includes an upper headermember 16. Especially as shown in FIG. 4, a track guide member 17 isconnected to the header member 16 and with a horizontally extendingtrack member 18 provides suitable track means for a crank and rollerstructure to be described. The upper plate structure 12 also hasconnected thereby an angle 19 which supports a U-shaped gutter element20 consisting of vertically extending flanges 20'. The gutter element 20also includes drain shelves or portions 21 adapted to drain waterthrough openings 22 projecting through lateral flanges 23 of the .doorpost 14. Similar flanges 24 of the posts 14 are connected by verticalwebs 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, a horizontal track 26 supports for sliding movementthereon a door 27. The door 27 consists of metal plate or sheathing 28provided at horizontally spaced ends with end wall members 29 of tubularconstruction. The end wall members 29 include vertically and laterallyextending side walls 30 and 31. Vertical door flanges 32 projectrespectively outwardly from and in perpendicular relation to the outerwalls 30. Each of the door flanges 32 includes laterally extending bentflange portions 33. As best shown in FIG. 2, the left hand side of thedoor 27 is provided with a laterally extending outer wall portion 34connected at one end to one of the bent flange portions 33 and furtherincludes a diagonal portion 35 integral with a laterally extendingportion 36 in turn integral with an outer plate member 37 which issuitably connected to the left hand outer end wall member 29. A V shapedcorner element 38 is connected to the adjacent portion of the web 25 andlateral flange 23 of the left hand post 14. The corner element 38includes a diagonal portion 39 which with the diagonal wall 35 forms anarrow serpentine space 40 extending vertically substantially the lengthof the door 27.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a door operating member 41 is disclosed. Thisoperating mechanism may be similar to that described in US. Pat. No.3,653, l 53 granted Apr. 4, 1972 and is herein only generally described.

The mechanism 41 includes horizontal locking bolts 42 which may behorizontally moved into locking engage-' ment with openings (not shown)provided in the door posts 14. Vertical locking bolts 43 are moveablevertically into locking engagement with openings in brackets (not shown)provided in the side sill '13 and in the upper plate structure 12. Themechanism 41 is suitably actuated by means of a manual handle 44. Avertical actuating member 45 suitably actuates the locking bolts 42 and43 provided at the upper end portion of the door. A linkage 46 isprovided with a clevis member 47 which during horizontal movement of thelinkage 46 rotates a vertical pipe or actuating rod 48. The lower end ofthe rod 48 includes a conventional crank arm 49. Similarly an uppercrank arm 50, as best shown in FIG. 4, is also connected to the upperend of the rod 48. The lower crank arm 49 is suitably connected to aroller support 51 of conventional design which is supported on the track26. The upper crank arm is connected to an upper roller 52 which, asbest shown in FIG. 4, is suitably guided and moveable in the track guidemember 71 and track element 18. The door also includes a plurality oftransversely extending hatshaped beams 53 which extend across the doorand are connected to the wall 31 of the end wall members 29.

As best shown in F IG. 1, the left hand side of the door 27 hasconnected thereto a swivel pedestal 54 provided at its lower end with aroller support 55. The upper left hand section of the door 27 is alsosupported by means of a roller support assembly 56 suitably containedwithin the track guide member 17 and track element 18. The outer walls30 also include portions 57 integral with a flat flange section 58 fromwhich a diagonally extending lip 59 projects. The section 58 and lip 59are substantially coextensive vertically with the door 27 with the lipportions 59 terminating to one side of the opening 15. The flangesection 58 is suitably riveted as indicated at 60 to the vertical doorflanges 32. The door posts 14 further include inner vertically extendingflanges 60 which extend parallel to the vertical door flanges 32 anddefine sides of the door opening 15. A pair of waterguards are generallydesignated at 61 and extend vertically and are substantially coextensivewith the door 27 and lips 59. The waterguards 61 comprise guard flanges62 suitably welded to the flanges 60. The waterguards 61 are of S-shapedconfiguration including flanges 63 suitably connected to laterallyextending webs 64 in a manner wherein said guard flanges 62 and 63extend in opposite directions. The configuration of the drain guards 61and lips 59 provide at opposite sides of the door vertically extendingdrain troughs 65, and in the corners of the connected flanges 23 and60', vertically extending troughs 66.

THE OPERATION The operation of the present door mechanism is similar tothat described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,653,153 and need notbe further described. FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 disclose the closed position ofthe door which of course may be moved laterally outwardly from its plugor closed position whereupon it can be rolled to one side of the dooropening on the track 26. In the closed position the gutter element isadapted to suitably catch and channel rain water, directed against theupper edge of the door, through the openings 22 downwardly through thedoor posts 14. In the closed position also the vertical door flanges 32are in engagement with the guard flanges 63 of the waterguard 61. Waterthat may enter through the serpentine space 40 on one side of the doorand along the outwardly bent portion 33 of the otherside of the doorcourses downwardly through the drain troughs 66. Such moisture as mayenter between the guard flanges 63 and the vertically door flanges 32runs inwardly along the flanges 32 where it then is caught and deflectedby means of the lips 59 downwardly through the vertical troughs 65. Inthis manner effective sealing is provided since moisture V is restrictedfrom moving through the door opening, the surfaces of the compo nentparts as described serving to direct the water downwardly following thepath of least resistance to the bottom of the troughs 66 and 65whereupon the moisture drains from the bottom of said doors downwardlyto the ground.

It has been determined by this particular arrangement a very effectiveseal is provided which is not dependent upon resilient compositionswhich soon deteriorate and whch cannot long endure the strenuous serviceto which doors of railroad cars are subjected. Also the construction issuch that it is not required to manu-' facture the same to the very finedimensional tolerances necessary for normal effective sealing. In astructure of this type, due to extreme expansions and contractionscaused by weather changes, such tolerances cannot be maintained and thepresent invention does not require the same.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway car having a side wall including a door opening, saidopening being defined by a side sill, horizontally spaced vertical doorposts and an upper side plate structure, a track on said car below saidopening, and a door slideably supported on said track and laterallymoveable into said opening for closing the same, the improvement of awater drain arrangement comprising:

each door post including a first post flange extending vertically andlaterally inwardly toward said side wall,

a second vertical post flange connected to each said first post flangeand extending parallel to said side wall and terminating adjacent saiddoor opening,

said door having vertically extending laterally spaced and relativelyparallel end wall members,

laterally extending vertical side walls connecting said end wallmembers,

vertical door flanges connected to and projecting outwardly from saidvertical side walls in substantially parallel relation to said secondpost flanges,

vertical drain lip elements extending substantially the length of saiddoor flanges and projecting laterally inwardly toward said second postflanges,

said drain lips terminating outside of said door openwaterguardscoextensive with said lips each including a vertical web extendinglaterally between each said second post flange and each said first doorflanges,

said waterguards being supported between said first door flanges andeach including first and second guard flanges connected to andprojecting from said web in opposite directions with respect thereto andsubstantially parallel relative to said second post flanges and firstdoor flanges, and

one of each of said guard flanges terminating adjacent to each saiddrain lips to thereby form relatively tubularly shaped vertical draintroughs.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said guard flangesterminating adjacent to each of said drain lips are connected to saidsecond post flanges, and

said other guard flanges are engaged by said vertical door flanges inthe closed position of said door.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2,

said water guard webs and said other guard flanges being spaced fromsaid first post flange to provide second vertical tubular drain troughshorizontally spaced from said first troughs.

4. The invention in accordancewith claim 3,

one of said door flanges including a laterally extending vertical outerwall having a portion extending diagonally and another connected portionextending parallel to one of said laterally extending vertical sidewalls,

said first post flange having a comer element including a diagonallyextending wall portion forming with said diagonal portion and saidparallel portion a serpentine vertical space.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

space. 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1, including ahorizontal gutter member with an upper opening supported on said upperplate structure, drain openings on said first post flanges, and drainportions on said gutter member communicating with said drain openings.

1. In a railway car having a side wall including a door opening, saidopening being defined by a side sill, horizontally spaced vertical doorposts and an upper side plate structure, a track on said car below saidopening, and a door slideably supported on said track and laterallymoveable into said opening for closing the same, the improvement of awater drain arrangement comprising: each door post including a firstpost flange extending vertically and laterally inwardly toward said sidewall, a second vertical post flange connected to each said first postflange and extending parallel to said side wall and terminating adjacentsaId door opening, said door having vertically extending laterallyspaced and relatively parallel end wall members, laterally extendingvertical side walls connecting said end wall members, vertical doorflanges connected to and projecting outwardly from said vertical sidewalls in substantially parallel relation to said second post flanges,vertical drain lip elements extending substantially the length of saiddoor flanges and projecting laterally inwardly toward said second postflanges, said drain lips terminating outside of said door opening,waterguards coextensive with said lips each including a vertical webextending laterally between each said second post flange and each saidfirst door flanges, said waterguards being supported between said firstdoor flanges and each including first and second guard flanges connectedto and projecting from said web in opposite directions with respectthereto and substantially parallel relative to said second post flangesand first door flanges, and one of each of said guard flangesterminating adjacent to each said drain lips to thereby form relativelytubularly shaped vertical drain troughs.
 2. The invention in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said guard flanges terminating adjacent to each ofsaid drain lips are connected to said second post flanges, and saidother guard flanges are engaged by said vertical door flanges in theclosed position of said door.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim2, said water guard webs and said other guard flanges being spaced fromsaid first post flange to provide second vertical tubular drain troughshorizontally spaced from said first troughs.
 4. The invention inaccordance with claim 3, one of said door flanges including a laterallyextending vertical outer wall having a portion extending diagonally andanother connected portion extending parallel to one of said laterallyextending vertical side walls, said first post flange having a cornerelement including a diagonally extending wall portion forming with saiddiagonal portion and said parallel portion a serpentine vertical space.5. The invention in accordance with claim 1, one of said door flangeshaving a laterally extending vertical outer wall connected thereto, saidouter wall having a serpentine configuration and with said first postflange forming a vertically extending serpentine space.
 6. The inventionin accordance with claim 5, said first post flange having a cornerelement including a diagonally extending wall portion forming with saidserpentine outer wall said serpentine space.
 7. The invention inaccordance with claim 1, including a horizontal gutter member with anupper opening supported on said upper plate structure, drain openings onsaid first post flanges, and drain portions on said gutter membercommunicating with said drain openings.